How to Fix The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Error

When your browser displays the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error message, it means your website is caught in a redirect loop. Instead of loading the intended page, the browser keeps redirecting between URLs. Conflicting website settings, HTTPS rules, plugins, or CDN configurations are common causes.

This guide explains how to find the source of the problem, fix the error, and get your website working again.

What is the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Error?

The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error occurs when a browser repeatedly redirects between URLs instead of loading the requested page. This creates an infinite redirect loop.

For example, one rule might send visitors from HTTP to HTTPS, while another sends them back to HTTP. The browser eventually stops following the redirects and displays an error message instead of loading the website.

How to Fix ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS

To fix the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error, first find what’s causing the redirect loop. The troubleshooting steps below cover common redirect issues and how to check each one.

Remember to back up your website files and settings before making changes, then test one fix at a time.

Verify Website URL Settings

Incorrect WordPress URL settings can cause redirect loops after domain or hosting migrations, HTTPS upgrades, or changes between www and non-www addresses.

To check your settings:

1. Open your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > General.
2. Compare WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL). Both should use the correct domain, protocol, and www format. Paths may differ for subdirectory installations.
3. Correct any mismatches, save your changes, and reload the website.

If the loop persists, check outdated database values, hardcoded URLs, and redirect rules. For example, an old domain may redirect to a new one while another setting sends visitors back.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Outdated cookies and cached redirects can keep triggering the error even after your website is fixed. To clear your browser cache and delete cookies in Microsoft Edge:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear.
2. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then click Clear now.
3. Reopen the website in InPrivate (incognito) mode and test it in another browser or device.

If the website works elsewhere, stored site data is likely responsible. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari offer similar options.

Clear Website and Server Cache

Old redirects may remain in your WordPress cache, hosting server cache, or CDN cache, even after correcting URL, SSL, or redirect settings. Clear each layer to remove outdated responses:

1. In WordPress, purge the CMS cache through your caching plugin.
2. In your hosting control panel, clear the server cache, if available.
3. In your CDN dashboard, purge its cache.

Reload the affected URL and check whether the redirect loop continues. If it stops, cached redirects were likely responsible.

Review Recent Website Changes

Check when the redirect loop first appeared. Recent website changes can help narrow down redirect issues. Review any:

• Domain or hosting migrations, HTTP-to-HTTPS upgrades, or DNS record changes.
• CDN activation or updates, and new plugins, extensions, or themes.
• Redirect rule changes, or SSL certificate installations or renewals.

If the error started after an update, review or temporarily roll back that change, then retest your website. Contact your hosting provider for help if needed.

Troubleshoot HTTPS Redirect Configuration

Conflicting HTTPS settings can trigger ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS after SSL installations, HTTPS or hosting migrations, or CDN changes. For example, your server redirects HTTP requests to HTTPS while another rule sends them back to HTTP.

To check your configuration:

1. Inspect your .htaccess file (Apache) or NGINX configuration for conflicting HTTPS redirects.
2. Compare these rules with your CMS, SSL plugins, hosting control panel, and CDN settings.
3. Correct conflicting rules so requests reach your preferred HTTPS URL. Check HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security), which tells browsers to use HTTPS and can complicate troubleshooting.
4. Test your website after each change. Check both HTTP and HTTPS versions to confirm the redirect loop has stopped.

Review Plugins, Extensions, and Themes

Plugins or extensions that manage redirects, caching, SSL, or security can create conflicting rules. Check recently installed, updated, or reconfigured tools first.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Temporarily deactivate suspected plugins and reload the affected page.
2. If the error disappears, reactivate plugins one at a time, testing after each change to find the culprit. Review its settings to resolve the conflict.
3. If the error persists, go to Appearance > Themes and temporarily activate a default WordPress theme. Test again to check for conflicting theme settings or custom code.

Troubleshoot Certificates and SSL Settings

An SSL certificate encrypts data between browsers and websites, enabling secure HTTPS connections. Missing, expired, incorrectly installed, or domain-mismatched certificates can contribute to redirect issues when HTTPS is misconfigured.

To check your SSL settings:

1. Open your website using HTTPS and check for browser certificate warnings.
2. View the certificate details or use an SSL checker to confirm it’s active, unexpired, and valid for your domain.
3. Renew or reinstall the certificate if needed, then retest your website.

If the certificate works but redirects persist, review your HTTPS redirect configuration. Vodien also offers SSL certificates for websites needing certificate installation or renewal.

Check CDN Settings

A content delivery network (CDN) handles website requests between visitors and your hosting server. Conflicting CDN configuration, SSL settings, or cached redirects can cause loops, especially after recent updates.

To troubleshoot:

1. Check your CDN’s SSL settings against your origin server. For example, Cloudflare’s Flexible mode connects over HTTP, which can trigger a loop if your server forces HTTPS.
2. Review CDN redirect and forwarding rules for conflicts with server rules. Verify that your origin address and domain settings are correct.
3. Purge your CDN cache to remove outdated redirects and allow recent configuration changes to take effect.

Reload your website and test both HTTP and HTTPS URLs after each change.

Check Server Logs

If earlier fixes haven’t worked, inspect your hosting server’s logs to trace HTTP requests and find recurring redirect patterns. You can access logs through your hosting control panel, web server, or application logs.

1. Find log entries for the affected URL around the time the error occurred.
2. Look for repeated 301 or 302 responses, especially requests alternating between HTTP and HTTPS, www and non-www, or old and new domains.
3. Compare these patterns with your redirect rules, correct any conflicts, and test the website again.

What Causes Too Many Redirects Error?

A too many redirects error usually points to a probable configuration error. These issues can cause a redirect loop error:

• Misconfigured Redirects: Conflicting redirect rules in an .htaccess file, NGINX configuration, or CMS can send visitors back to previous URLs, creating a redirect loop.
• Conflicting Plugins: On a WordPress site, redirect management, security, or caching plugins may apply conflicting rules that repeatedly send visitors between URLs.
• Incorrect Website URL Settings: Mismatched WordPress Address and Site Address settings, such as different domains or HTTP/HTTPS versions, can cause the WordPress URL to redirect repeatedly.
• SSL/TLS Configuration Issues: Incorrect HTTPS settings, especially after switching to HTTPS, can cause redirect loops when SSL certificates or HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect rules are misconfigured.
• Server-Side Problems: Incorrect rewrite rules in the .htaccess file, reverse proxy conflicts, caching issues, or domain pointing errors can make a web server repeatedly redirect requests.
• CDN Configuration Conflicts: A content delivery network can trigger redirect loops when its CDN configuration, cached redirects, or HTTPS redirects conflict with the origin server.
• Recent Website Migration or Configuration Changes: Domain or hosting migrations can cause redirect issues when a hosting provider updates some settings but leaves old URLs, DNS records, or redirects unchanged.

How to Diagnose ERR Too Many Redirects

If the earlier fixes haven’t resolved ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS, trace the redirect chain to find where the browser gets stuck. A redirect loop occurs when requests repeatedly move between the same URLs instead of reaching the intended page.

In Google Chrome, open the affected page, right-click, and select Inspect. Go to the Network tab, enable Preserve log, and reload the page. Look for repeated 301 or 302 responses and check their Location headers to see where each redirect leads. Watch for patterns like HTTP → HTTPS → HTTP or www → non-www → www.

Alternatively, enter the affected URL into an online redirect checker. Review the redirect chain for repeating URLs or alternating HTTP/HTTPS and www/non-www versions.

Once you’ve identified the redirect loop, return to the relevant fix for URL settings, HTTPS redirect rules, plugins, or CDN configuration, then test your website again.

How to Prevent Too Many Redirects Error

Prevent too many redirects and recurring redirect issues by keeping website configurations consistent and checking changes before they affect visitors.

• Test Redirects After Website Changes: Check redirect rules and HTTPS redirects after domain or hosting migrations, DNS updates, or HTTPS setup to catch problems early.
• Avoid Multiple Redirect Management Tools: Using several plugins or services to manage redirects can create conflicting rules. Keep redirect management in one place where possible.
• Keep SSL and HTTPS Settings Consistent: Check that your SSL certificate, website URLs, and server settings agree before you enforce HTTPS to prevent conflicting redirects.
• Review CDN and DNS Changes Carefully: After updating CDN configuration or DNS records, verify that redirects, SSL settings, and the hosting server are configured correctly.
• Create Backups Before Making Configuration Changes: Back up your WordPress site, database, and config files before major updates. Check your hosting provider’s available backup options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Your Website Back Online

The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error can be frustrating, but most cases come down to conflicting website settings, redirect rules, or server configurations. Checking each possible cause and testing your changes one at a time can help you find the problem, restore access, and prevent it from happening again.

Keeping your hosting and SSL settings properly configured also helps prevent future redirect issues. At Vodien, we offer reliable web hosting and SSL certificates to keep your website secure and accessible. If you need further help, our support team is available 24/7.